Foldable decoy



" Nov. 29, 1949 w. G. COLGAN FOLDABLE DEGOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1946 INVENTOR.

W ll l .l AM G COLGAN BY A'T "TORNEYS Nov. 29, 1949 w. G. COLGAN FOLDABLE DEGOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 1946 IN VEN TOR.

N A S m. M a o c g 6 M m M m A L H W 7 d .wm

w. G. COLGAN FOLDABLE DECOY Nov. 29, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 18, 1946 INVENTOR.

W L I. IAM 3- COLGAN Warm GA? AT ORNEYS W. G. COLGAN FOLDABLE DECOY Nov. 29, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 18, 1946 I N VEN TOR.

A'r TORNEYS Patented Nov. 29, 1949 zgeazu lJlTED STATES orrice FOLDABQE DECOY William G. Colgan, Oakland, Calif.

Application (Dotober 18, 1946, Serial No. 704,007

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in a foldable decoy; and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a foldable decoy, which is an improvement over the decoy disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 648,576, filed in the United States Patent Office on February 19, 1946.

In that application, I illustrated a decoy made from a foldable blank. The blanks were so con-- structed that they could be packaged in knockdown condition, and readily assembled for dis play by sportsmen .on ponds, lakes and the like.

The body of the decoy was provided with an open channel extending lengthwise therethrough for allowing waves, windand tide to pass through the channel, thereby decreasing the possibility of the decoy capsizing.

It is proposed in the present invention to provide a decoy having sides and breast flaps extending across the front of the sides so as to hold the latter a predetermined distance apart. This arrangement presents a more rigid decoy than the one illustrated in my copending case. At the same time, the breast of the decoy is sufficiently high to allow waves, wind and tide to pass through the space between the sides of the decoy.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a tubular neck that is provided with a front The latter reinforces the neck when the decoy is assembled, but at the same time allows the decoy to be flattened out when desired.

Furthermore, I propose to provide a decoy having a reinforcing member secured to the back and sides of the decoy body, thus adding rigidity to the latter. This reinforcing member is utilized for attaching a ballast wire to the decoy, and may extend into the decoys neck for reinforcing it.

A still further object is to arrange the neck in such a manner that it may be supported on the decoy body in a natural upright position, or swung into a substantially horizontal feeding attitude. Thus the habits of wild birds, such as geese or ducks, may be approximated and the display will be more realistic.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues, and the novel features will be set forth in the appended claims.

- For a better understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which:

decoy, disclosing in broken lines the position as-lsumed by the neck and head when in a feeding attitude;

Figures 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken along the lines III-III and IV---IV, respectively, of Figure 2; i

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the ballast Wire that I employ; I

Figure 6 is a plan View of the reinforcing member that I utilize Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary isometric view 0 the front portion of an assembled decoy;

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 8, but show-.- ing the breast and neck flaps swung open;

Figure 10 is a side elevation on a reduced scale, illustrating a staked-out decoy;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of one of my decoys in feeding position;

Figure 12 is an underneath plan View of th front portion of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is an elevation taken from the opposite side of Figure 11; and

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section takenthrough a stack of blanks and showing them sup ported on a carrying rod.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof. Although shall describe a goose as the specification proceeds, it will be apparent that decoys simulating other wild birds, such as ducks, may be formed from similar blanks.

In carrying my invention into practice, I provide a blank indicated generally at A in Figure 1- f'lOiIl. which a goose B is fashioned (see Figures 2, 8, 9, 11 and 13). This blank is identical on opposite sides of its median line I, except for breast flaps 2 and 3, a'front of the neck flap 4- with its tongues 5, 6 and l and a hook-shaped flap 8 provided on one of the head sections.

Referring further to the details of the blank A, it will be noted that I have shown a quadrangular-shaped back 9 having a tail Ill extending rearwardly therefrom. Sides H and I2 project laterally from the back and tail when the blank" ly in slightly diverging relation with one another, as disclosed in Figure 7.

In order to facilitate the downwardly-folding of the sides I! and I2, and to give an arched effect to the tail, I have scored the blank by lines I3. These score lines radiate from corners I4 of the back. Also, a central score line I3 is provided.

Wings I5 and I6 are formed integrally with the back 9 and are separated from the sides II and I2, respectively, by cut-away portions I! and I8. Score lines I9 and facilitate downwardly-folding of the wings I5 and I6, respectively, with respect to the back 9. When the wings are folded downwardly, they bear against the outer surfaces Ila and In of the sides I'I and I2, respectively (see Figure 7).

A hook-shaped tongue I 51; is arranged for passage through slot I lb in the side I I and the curved edge I5c of the hook passes through another slot I I0 formed in the same side see Figure 11). In a like manner, a hook-shaped tongue I 6b passes throughslot IZb in the side I2 and its curved edge IE0 is lodged in another slot I20 fashioned in the side IZ (see Figure 13). Thus, the wings I5 and I6 are anchored to the sides II and I2, respectively, and reinforce the latter. At the same time, the back 9 is drawn down slightly so that it will abut upper edges Na and I8a of the cut-away portions I! and I8, respectively.

I'he breast flaps 2 and 3, previously mentioned, are formed integrally with the sides II and I2. respectively. Score lines 2| and 22 are provided so that these flaps may be folded inwardly across the breast of goose, as shown in Figure 8. The breast flap 2 has a slot 23 therein for receiving a hook-shaped tongue 24 projecting from breast flap 3. When the tongue 24 is interlocked with the slot 23, the sides II and I2 are drawn toward one another slightly. The breast flaps serve to space the sides apart a predetermined distance.

It will be observed from Figures '7 and 9, inclusive, that a channel C extends len thwise through the decoy. When the latter is floating in water D, the breast flaps 2 and 3 are sufliciently high to clear the water. This will permit waves, wind and the tide to pass through the channel C, thus aiding in preventing the decoy from capsizing.

Next, I will describe the construction of the combined neck and head of my decoy. Figure 1 shows a triangular rear of the neck section 25 ha ing n ck side sections 25 and 21 formed integrally therewith. Score line 28 is formed between the sections 25 and 26, while score line 29 is provided between sections 25 and 21 (see Figure 1).

The front flan 4 of the neck is inte ral with the neck side section 2'! and a score line 30 is provided therebetween. After the flap 4 is folded across the front of the neck so as to extend between the neck side sections 26 and 21, the tongues 5 and 1 are inserted into the hollow part of the neck so that these tongues will parallel the neck side section 26. The neck thus provided is tubular and rectan ular in horizontal section, as disclosed in Figure 3.

The tongue 6 overlaps the outer surface of the neck side 26 and has a hook-shaped tab 3I thereon. In Figures 2, 8 and 11, I show this tab projecting through a slot 32 formed in the neck side section 26. This arrangement locks the front of the neck flap 4 to the neck side section 26.

Head portions 34 and 35 extend from the tops of the neck side sections 26 and 21, respectively, and point in opposite directions when the blank A is flattened out, as in Figure However, when the decoy is assembled, these head portions are moved into abutting relation with one another. At this time, the hook-shaped flap 8 on the head portion 35 is folded over the head portion 34 and engaged with slot 36 fashioned in the latter.

The inner surfaces of the forward portions I Ie and I 2e of the main sides II and I2 have strips of material 31 and 38 secured thereto, respectively, by staples 39, or other suitable fastening means. These strips define upwardly-opening pockets, which are utilized for holding the combined neck and head E in upright position in the manner hereinafter set forth.

The triangular rear neck section 25 is swingable relative to the back 9 and a score line 40 (see Figure 1) is provided therebetween. Upon swinging the combined neck and head upward ly, the lower edges M and 42 of the neck sides 26 and 21 are brought to rest upon upper edges (1 and I2d of the sides I! and I2, respec tively.

In Figures 1, 8 and 9, I disclose the breast flap 2 as having an upwardly-extending portion 43. The latter is folded inwardly relatively to the tubular neck and passes beneath the lower edge 44 of the front neck flap 4 to support the latter when the decoy is fully assembled and the combined neck and head E is held in upright position.

In order to stiffen the blank A and make it more rigid and durable, I make use of a reinforcing member indicated generally at F (see Figure 6). This member is applied to the underneath side of the blank A (see Figure 2) so that its median line Ia registers with the median line I of the blank A. The member F has a quadrangular-shaped portion 9a and a truncated triangular portion 25a, which register with the back 9 and the rear of the neck 25, respectively. Score line 40a is formed between the sections 9a and 25a. Staples 45, or other suitable fastening means, are used for anchoring the reinforcing member F to the blank A.

Wings I5 and IS on the reinforcing member F underlie the wings I5 and I6, respectively, of the blank A. The wings I5 and I6 have hook: shaped tongues l5b' and Ifib which pass inwardly through the slots IIb and I'2b, respec tively. The curved lower edges lite and IE0 of these tongues are lodged in the slots I I0 and I2c, respectively. In other words, the hook-shaped tongues I51) and Ifib on the rein orcing member F coincide with the hook-shaped tongues I5?) and I6b, respectively.

The reinforcing member F has side flaps 25a and 21a thereon, which register with the opposing neck side sections 26 and all, respectively. Score lines 28a and. 29a facilitate folding of the flaps 26a and 2711 so that they will register with and reinforce the neck side sections 26 and 21, respectively, as shown in Figure 3.

Further, the reinforcing member F is fashioned with a truncated triangular portion 4a that registers with the inner surface of the front neck flap 4. Tongues 5a, 6a and Id on the reinforcing member coincide with the tongues 5, 6 and 'I of the blank A, as illustrated in Figure 9. A hookshaped tab 3Ia on the tongue 6 also passes through the slot 32 on the neck side section 26.

Although I have shown the reinforcing member F as extending into the neck of the decoy, this member may be out along a score line 49a (see Figure 6 so that only the back 9 and wings l and Hi will be reinforced.

Bars 45 and 4.1 are secured to the side flaps 26a and 21a, respectively, by staplesllil, or other fastening These bars proj ect beyond the lower edges of the flaps 26a and 21d when. the combined neck and head E is presented in upright position, as shown in Figure 2. The bars 46 and 41,, respectively, are insertable into the pockets defined by the strips of material 31 and 38, and thus hold the neck in an upright attitude.

The side flaps 25a and 21a have hook-shaped tongues 26m and 21a that enter the pockets provided thestrips of material. 31 and 38, as suggested in FigureQ. Slots 419 and 50 are formed in the forward parts ,I la and [2e of the sides If and H, respectively, and the material defining these slots may be pressed inwardly for engaging with the hook-shaped tongues 26a and 21a, thus serving to retain the: bars 46 and 41 in their respective pockets.

The means for providing a ballast for the decoy now will be: set forth. In Figures 4, 6 and 7, I show a T-shaped recess filiiashioned in the re.- iniorciug member F. This recess defines a pair of flaps am that project toward. one another. A ballast wire 'G has a U-shaped upper end 52 that is insertable through the. cross-bar 5H: of the T-shaped recess 5|, with the sides of the U extending between the reinforcing member F and the back 9 of the blank A.

The ballast wire has a turned-down .end 53 on one end of the .U, while a main leg 54 extendsfrom the other end of the U and. projects downwardly through the channel C defined between the sides: H and 12. The flaps 51a hook behind the turned-down end 53 and the leg 54 for removabiy holding the U in the T-shaped recess, as clearly shown in Figure 4. i

A ballast weight 55 is siidably disposed on the 54 and its downward movement along this log is limited by an enlarged portion 54a formed on the leg .54.. This weight is movable upwardly along the ballast wire so that the lower end 5% may be pushed into the ground H (see Figure to provide a stake-out decoy.

inflated compartments J are secured to the inner surfaces of the sides H and i2 in order to float the decoy B the latter is disposed on the water D.

Next, I will describe thestructural features that permit the combined neck and head E to be moved into a substantially horizontal feeding position, as disclosed in Figures 11 to 13, inclusive. The rear of the neck section is swingable relative to the back 9, and this movement is facilitated by the score line All. The opposing neck side sections 26 and 21 may be arranged on the outer surface of the sides I l and [2, respectively, as suggested in Figures 11 and 13. The breast flaps 2 and 3 are disengaged from each other and are folded inwardly, as shown in Figure '12. The front neck flap 4 is movable into a position between these folded-in breast flaps.

.In Figure 1, I illustrate a cut-away portion 56 as being fashioned between the neck side section 21 and the front neck flap 4. It will be noted from Figure. 6 that a similar cut-away portion 56a is provided between the neck side flap 21a and the triangular portion to. These cut-away portions receive the forward part l2e of the side I! when the neck is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. Likewise, the forward part lie of the side II fits into the space defined between the t ngue land side Hop 25:: .(sec 12)..

The projecting ends of the bars 46 and 41 are insertable underneath the wings l5 and it of the reinforcing member F to limit further downward movement of the combined neck and head E. At theasame time, the lower edges H and 4 2 of the neck sides 26 and 21., respectively, abut against the forward edges 15d and Hid of the Win s 15 and i6, respectively (see Figures 11 and 1.3). arrangement further limits downward swinging movement of the combined neck and head E.

Figure 14 illustrates a stack K of blan'ksA arranged-one above theother, each blank having a reinforcing member .F' secured thereto. Figure 1 shows an opening .51 formed in the back 9,, while Figure 6 discloses an opening 58 in the reinforcing member F. These openings are presented in aligned relation with each other in the stack, and a carrying and supporting rod L passes therethrough. When the decoys are not in use, the carrying rod is utilized (as a hanging support for the decoys.

Having thus described the various features :of my decoy, the assembly thereof may {be summarized briefly as follows:

The sides li and i2 of the decoy body are folded downwardly so that the tail ill will be curved in transverse section. The breast flaps 2 and 3 are drawn toward one another and the hookshaped tongue 24 on the breast flap 3 .is interlocked in the slot 23 formed in the breast flap 2.

As the next step, the wing ii of the reinforcing member F and the wing 15 of the blank A are drawn downwardly over the outer surface of the side H. Their hook-shaped ends ll5b' and lib are interengaged with the slots lit and I la (see Figures 8 and 11 In a like manner, the hook-shaped ends i612 and 1619 of the wings l6" and I 6 are interlocked with the slots I 2b and (see Figure 13:).

The sportsman news-wings the rear of the neck section 25 of the blank A into the position shown in Figure 9. The side of the neck section .26 and 21 of the blank A and corresponding sections 26a and 21a of the reinforcing member F are folded forwardly. Next, the flaps .4 and 4a are folded across the front of the ,decoys neck, and the tongues 1, 5a and "1a are pushed inwardly of the neck, as shown in Figure 8. At this time, the hook-shaped tabs 3| and 3m are engaged in the slot 32 and pass through a slot .320: formed in the neck side 2.6a (see Figure 6'). The hookshaped tab .8 on one head section is engaged with the slot iii on the other head-section.

The -;sportsman now introduces the projecting end of the bar 46 and the hook-shaped tongue 26a into the pocket defined by the piece of material 31. Similarly, theprojectlng end of the bar 41 and the hook-shapedtongue 21a are inserted into the pocket provided by the piece of material 3 8'. Care is taken to insure that the upstanding port-ion 13 on the breast flap 2 passes beneath the lower edge 44 of the front neck flap, as illustrated in Figure 8.

As a. final step, the U-shaped end 52 0f the ballast wire G is inserted through the T-shaped recess .51 in the reinforcingmember F until the tabs 51a hook behind the turned-down end 53 and the leg =51 of the ballast wire. The compartments J are inflated at any suitable time so that the decoy will float on the water D.

When the sportsman desires to have a stakeout decoy, the lower end 541) of the ballast wire G is pushed into the ground H, as shown in Figure 10. In the event that the sportsman desires to make a permanent feeding decoy, the breast flaps '2 and 3 may be cut off.

The decoy may be converted into a feeding attitude bydisengaging the bars 46 and 4'! and also the tongues 26a and 21a from the pockets defined by the pieces of materials 37 and 38, respectively. Next, the breast flaps 2 and 3 are folded inwardly of the decoy body, as illustrated in Figure 12. When this has been accomplished, the combined neck and head E is swung into a substantially horizontal position. The bar 46 and hook-shaped tongue 26a are inserted under the wings l5 and I5, as in Figure 11. Likewise, the bar ti and hook-shaped tongue 21a are placed under the wings l6 and i6, as in Figure 13 of the drawings.

I 'I claim:

1. In a foldable decoy; a decoy body, including a back and spaced-apart sides; the sides near the forward parts thereof having pockets; an upwardly-extending neck swingably secured to the back and terminating in a head; the neck including opposing side sections; and bars secured to the opposing side neck sections to project below the bottom edges of the latter and enter the pockets; the projecting ends of the bars, when placed in the pockets, holding the neck and head in an upwardly-extending direction.

2, In a foldable decoy; a decoy body, including a back and spaced-apart sides; the sides near the forward parts thereof having pockets; an upwardly-extending neck swingabl secured to the back and terminating in a head; the neck ineluding opposing side sections; and bars secured to the opposing side neck sections to roject below the bottom edges of the latter and enter the pockets; the projecting ends of the bars, when placed in the pockets, holding the neck and head in an upwardly-extending direction; the neck being swingable into a substantially horizontal position when the bars are removed from the pockets.

3. In a decoy; a decoy body, including a back and downwardly-extending spaced-apart sides; a reinforcing member secure-d to the underside of the back and having a recess fashioned therein; and a ballast wire having a U-shaped upper end insertable into the recess with the sides of the U extending between the reinforcing member and the back; the ballast wire having a leg extend ing downwardly between the spaced-apart sides.

4. In a decoy; a decoy body, including a back and downwardly-extending spaced-apart sides; a reinforcing member secured to the underside of the back and having a recess fashioned therein; a ballast wire having a U-shaped upper end insertable into the recess with the sides of the U extending between the reinforcing member and the back; the ballast wire having a leg extending downwardly between the spaced-apart sides; and a ballast weight adjustabl disposed on said leg of the ballast :wire and being slidable thereon, whereby the lower end of the wire may be inserted into ground to provide a stake-out decoy.

5. In a decoy; a body, including a back and downwardly-extending spaced-apart sides; a reinforcing member secured to the underside of the back and having a T-shaped recess fashioned in one edge thereof; the recess defining a pair of flaps projecting toward one'another; and a. ballast wire having a U-shaped upper end inserta'ble through the cross-bar of the T with the sides of the U extending between the reinforcing member and the back; the ballast wire having a leg extending downwardly from one end of the U between the spaced-apart sides; the other end of the U having a turned-down portion; said flaps hooking behind the leg and turned-down portion of the ballast Wire for removably holding the U in the recess.

6. In a foldable decoy; a decoy body, including a back, downwardly-extendin spaced-apart sides, a neck swingably attached to the back and being movable into a substantially horizontal position, and :wings attached to the back and overlapping the sides of the body; means for securing the lower ends of the wings to the body sides; and bars secured to the neck to project underneath the wings when the neck is substantially horizontally disposed to limit further downward movement of the neck. 7. In a fold-able decoy; a decoy body, including a back, downwardly-extending spaced-apart sides, a neck swinga'bly attached to the back and being movable into a substantially horizontal position, and :wings attached to the back and overlapping the sides of the .body; means for securing the lower ends of the wings to the body sides; and bars secured to the neck to project underneath the wings when the neck is substantially horizontally disposed to limit further downward movement of the neck; the neck having opposing side neck sections abuttable against the leading edges of the wings when the neck is substantially horizontally disposed. l 8. In a foldable decoy; a decoy body, including a back, downwardly-extendin spaced-apart sides, a neck swingably attached to the back and :being movable into a substantially horizontal position, and wings integrally attached to the .back and separated from the sides by cut-away portions; the wings being foldable relative to the back into positions to overlap the sides; means for securing the lower ends of the wings to the sides and leaving the upper parts of the wings unattached to the sides; the neck having opposing neck side sections for overlapping the forward parts of the body sides when the neck is substantially horizontally disposed; and bars se-' cured to the opposing side neck sections to project underneath the wings at said unattached upper parts of the latter to limit further downward movement of the neck.

WILLIAM G. COLGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date a 23,031 Kinsey Feb. 22, 1859 1,062,713 Johnson May 27, 1913 1,180,591 Lee Apr. 25, 1916 1,604,615 Stoner Oct. 26, 1926 1,806,456 Haigler May 19, 1931 2,062,098 MacChesney Nov. 24, 1936 2,170,953 Spots Aug. 29, 1939 2,256,778 Lundgren Sept. 23, 1941 2,395,247 Buffenbarger Feb. 19, 1946 

